NFL Power Rankings - Week 8

BOO! Time for the Halloween edition of the power rankings. Unlike Kings Island of Ohio, no recently dead NFL stars will be appearing in my blog (instead if you want to read what I am talking about click this http://deadspin.com/5366449/steve-mcnair-murder-scene-an-ill+advised-halloween-display). Pretty sad when you think about it. Kind of like Vikings fans after their first loss, or anyone in the Lions vs. Rams market this weekend. So to stick with the theme of Halloween, ratings will be Trick or Treat with a possible monster, villain or horror movie mention. I mean come on, it's Halloween week folks, what do you expect me to do?

NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (1, 6-0)

Even when it looks like they are going to lose they win. It is insane. They wouldn't be number one if they weren't the greatest. No they can't be Ali but they could be whoever they want. I bet wherever they go for trick or treating, they would get truck loads of candy. Big game against the Falcons this week. Who will laugh last, mwahahahahahaha!

2. Indianapolis Colts (2, 6-0)

I can't move them up for dismantling the Rams. I mean who hasn't done that. Although Peyton Manning didn't throw for 300+ yards, epic FAIL! Stomp city though, this team is full of treats.

3. Denver Broncos (4, 6-0)

What a difference a bye makes. Heading to Baltimore for a tough road game in a hostile place, then again they did just play in San Diego. Hasta La Vista winning streak?

4. New England Patriots (7, 5-2)

They are just flat out embarrassing teams now. When they face a decent team and do this maybe I will be a little more impressed. Clearly the offense is clicking though. Bill Belichick would make a pretty sweet Darth Vader though wouldn't he? If you don't join the dark side, I will find someone who costs less money who will! Quote Darth Belichick on that one! Obi Wan Ki-Rex Ryan, you're our only hope!

5. Minnesota Vikings (3, 6-1)

Considering they weren't even favored to win the game how could I drop them more then this? Favre faced pressure and two turnovers cost them 14 points the other way. Without those it would have been a totally different game and who knows? Maybe a new number 1? Alas, no they lost in Pittsburgh.

6. Cincinnati Bengals (7, 5-2)

They destroyed the Bears. Palmer threw 5 times, 5 times, 5 times, 5 times, 5 times for touchdowns. So yes, you guessed it, Booker T is who he will be this Halloween. Must be nice to have this week off. No parties with Matt Leinart though Carson!

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (9, 5-2)

Yes, I know they just beat the Vikings. Yes, I know they got turnovers against Favre. Well, they moved up didn't they?


8. Arizona Cardinals (14, 4-2)

Believe in the Cardinals. Along with their pass happy offense comes a pretty stout defense. I still hear people on ESPN saying the Steelers have the number 1 rush defense. No, they don't (even Tony Reali, stat boy himself says the Steelers are the best rush defense in all the land). This team is! You wouldn't know it. They are like the force in Paranormal Activity minus the fact that no one is talking about them. Not many see how great they are but in due time they will.

9. New York Giants (5, 5-2)

Two losses in a row are not good. Having Arizona come to your house and do something they haven't done in 20 years, win, also not good. Started out as a treat on the town, now you are tricks of New York. Congrats!

10. Atlanta Falcons (6, 4-2)

Another team in their way apparently is the Cowboys. Clearly Matt Ryan can't handle a lot of pressure in his face. Dallas blitzed him all night and got a victory because of how much pressure they put on him. The Cowboys wanted that game more then them. The Iceman Matt Ryan (or Matty Ice as he may be known) will need to have a great game against the league and division leading Saints on Monday Night Football, get those helmets crashin'.

11. Baltimore Ravens (10, 3-3)

Bye week. Get your helmets on boys because this one is going to be a knock out drag out fight. Steelers took out an unbeaten last week, hopefully we can do the same this week. Suggs, become the SUGGERNAUT! ACTIVATE BEAST MODE!

12. Philadelphia Eagles (13, 4-2)

They beat a struggling Redskins team but really didn't look dominant. Desean Jackson did, he put on a Flash costume and dusted the 'Skins for two scores (thanks buddy, needed those points in fantasyyyyyyyy). Real test this week with first place in the division on the line. Plus who really wants to get out shined by the Phils?


13. Houston Texans (17, 4-3)

Steve Slaton sighting. Matt Schaub and this Texans passing game is insane. They beat a tough team at home in beating the Niners. They are surely treating themselves to whatever they want no matter what the defense. This offense is the real deal, just don't blow it against the Bills. A team they shouldn't have a problem with.

14. Green Bay Packers (15, 4-2)

Two weeks in a row they have faced cupcake teams in the Lions and the Browns. They disposed of them like a good team should. They would love to give Favre some spiked candy for Halloween. Don't look into the mirror and say Aaron Rodgers 3 times Brett. If you do, he will come out and kill you Candyman style.

15. San Francicso 49ers (12, 3-3)

How Frank Gore didn't destroy the Texans porous defense is beyond me. Alex Smith is going to be their starter, he looked great late last week. Maybe he can prove that San Fran is his Final Destination!

16. New York Jets (18, 4-3)

Rex probably transformed into Voltron last week. What they did to the Raiders was brutal. What a beat down they put on them. Like they were Bane from Batman. Rex hit a button and they went crazy. Now let's see if they can keep that up and get some payback on Miami.

17. Dallas Cowboys (20, 4-2)

Miles Austin is the best receiver this team has had since Michael Irvin. Clearly he is no fluke as he has had two stellar performances in a row. He clearly has PF Flyers and is going as Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez this Halloween. The guy runs great routes and is a hard worker. Defense is starting to turn around to.

18. Chicago Bears (11, 3-3)

Two losses in a row is not good for the Monsters of the Midway. In addition to getting thumped by the Bengals, they were completely owned by Cedric Benson. That stings.

19. San Diego Chargers (19, 3-3)

They did what they were supposed to do against the Chiefs. It is something new every week for this team. Up and down. It's like Poison Ivy, they had everyone loving them before they ripped out their hearts by losing a few close games. Do Batman villain comparisons ever get old?

20. Miami Dolphins (16, 2-4)

Oh when the Saints, come marching in, oh when the Saints come marching in. Oh they want to change the number (of points they gave up to the Saints), when the Saints come to Miami. Everyone better hide from Bill Parcells as he may do his best Michael Myers impression and start taking people out if they keep losing.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (21, 3-3)

Jack Del Rio is going to be playing someone from The Departed if he doesn't improve the defense. They can't win enough games to get into the playoffs without a decent defense. There are two potent offenses in their own division let alone any they have to face throughout the league. I mean, even the Rams gave them a scare.

22. Seattle Seahawks (23, 2-4)

This team is like Two Face. One week they are awesome and the next they don't show up at all. After a bye you have to wonder what kind of tricks they have up their sleeves. Hopefully, for my own fantasy purposes, my bag will be full of treats from Hasselback and Houshmandzadeh.

23. Buffalo Bills (25, 2-4)

So they officially have started a mini winning streak. Okay so they beat the Panthers and handled Jake Delhomme like everyone else has. Had they beat someone else I may have moved them up more. Honestly I just want to see if they are posers or if they actually can win a few tough games.

24. Carolina Panthers (22, 2-4)

Delhomme gives up plenty of treats to opposing defenses. He leads the league in INTs and is still going to start despite that. What Freddy Krueger does to dreams, opposing defenses do to Delhomme. If they didn't have Deangelo Williams and a defense that shows up once in awhile. Perhaps they should dress up as last year's Steelers, lord knows they don't want to play the Cardinals as themselves.

25. Kansas City Chiefs (24, 1-6)

They were really put in their place this week. Don't expect Larry Johnson to be playing any time soon over his infamous gay slurs. Don't expect any questionable dressing up from him anytime soon either. Especially with the teams bye week and all.

26. Oakland Raiders (26, 2-5)

They made me regret moving them up. They got STOMPED by the Jets, in the black hole no less! At least no one honestly knows who most of the fans on the sidelines are since they are dressed in more armor then a Medieval Times knight. So much for those playoffs Seymour.

27. Detroit Lions (27, 1-6)

They had a bye week and NFL is giving them a treat for Halloween. They get the Lambs er I mean Rams at home. Woohoo for mediocre games.

28. Tennessee Titans (28, 0-6)

This just in Jeff Fisher is going as Peyton Manning for Halloween. He just wants to be a winner. Maybe he should wear a Vince Young jersey, I think they could get their first W this week. He is facing a terrible pass defense in Jacksonville. So if he can't make it happen they should just lose out and get Sam Bradford.

29. Washington Redskins (30, 2-5)

Redskin fans got a rock when they turned on the TV on Monday night. Unfortunately that rock was only on defense. Without those Campbell turnovers their game could have had a different outcome. Maybe with Sherm "Bingo Caller" Lewis at the helm their offense will get better?

30. Cleveland Browns (29, 1-6)

Even more tricks. They just got abused by Green Bay this past week. The great news for their fans is they can just stay in those dog pound costumes or wear paper bags over their heads if they are silly enough to travel to Chicago.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (31, 0-7)

Trick. Another lopsided game last week was their game against New England. They would have been better off playing a game in the English Premier League then against the Pats. Hey there was a Josh Freeman sighting, maybe he will go as a starter in the NFL this Halloween.

32. St. Louis Rams (32, 0-7)

A whole bag of tricks here. Did you honestly think they would beat let alone put up a fight against the Colts? They died quicker then a black person in a horror movie. I don't make the movies, you know I'm right. Everyone will wish they were dead as opposed to watching their game this week against the Lions. So this week they could be treats.

Dare to compare mine to those at ESPN. We differ on our opinions but hey, at least you know I'm not one to plagiarize! Check it out and I will see you here next week!http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings

NFL Power Rankings - Week 7

What a week huh? One less team is undefeated thanks to another reigning supreme over them. The Saints (obviously the best team in the NFL at this time) completely destroyed the Giants. The Texans finally showing up are on the rise this week after traveling to the upstart Bengals and putting them away. The Seahawks, well they apparently aren't ready to challenge the Cardinals for the division. The Raiders are thinking playoffs, playoffs? "Blasphemy!," you say? Take that up with Richard Seymour. For now get angry at my week 7 power rankings and shed a tear for the Ravens who are falling into the black hole. Let's get to the rankings shall we.

NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (1, 5-0)

Wow, just wow. Brees owns the Giants and they top them by 21. So as I said before, bye weeks are good. It was a monster game for the Saints offense. I am in awe at how easily they took it to the Giants. They took advantage of a worn out, depleted secondary.

2. Indianapolis Colts (2, 5-0)

Peyton Manning is STILL a complete monster. Even in a bye. I don't see much changing since they play the Rams this week. Unless, there is some kind of miracle.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3, 6-0)

Favre to Sidney Rice is having a nice ring to it in Minnesota. However in Baltimore it's making people sick. They just outlasted the Ravens by an eye lash on a missed last second field goal. Now they get the defending Super Bowl champs. Can Favre not have any turnovers against yet another potent defense?

4. Denver Broncos (5, 6-0)

Special teams did it for them this week. Eddie Royal owns San Diego's soul. Without him it would have been a very interesting and tight game. Defense is looking strong as long as Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey stay healthy.


5. New York Giants (4, 5-1)

They fell hard in New Orleans. Brees abused their defense and made them look pedestrian. They can't be dropped too much, I mean they did lose badly against the best team in the NFL right now. Time to face another offensive, pass heavy team in the Cardinals.


6. Atlanta Falcons (8, 4-1)

Great game on Sunday night. Outlasted the Bears and their defense was strong. Everything seems to be clicking with this team. Ryan is looking good, Turner/Roddy/Gonzalez all had reservations for 6. The only team in their way is the Saints.

7. New England Patriots (9, 4-2)

Does anyone but me, outside of the New England area, feel bad for the Titans? That was a complete, utter beatdown.What a weekend for the Boston area. Red Sox and Patriots going down hard. This was a tough loss but the reason there is such a drop is because of how shaky their offense looked. That all could be due to the great Broncos defense. Orton owned their defense and the only reason they got a turnover is because of a hail mary. They get a laugher, possibly, this week with the Titans in town.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (6, 4-2)

They didn't look too good against the Texans. Their passing defense is very suspect. Then again, who isn't against the Texans? Slaton burned them out of the backfield receiving passes and Matt Schaub completely abused their secondary. Clearly that is a weakness on this team.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (11, 4-2)

It wasn't pretty but they beat the Browns yet again. How the Browns offense looked better against their team then against the Bills is beyond me. I guess divisional opponent? Who knows. But a win is a win and this one ties them with the Bengals for first in the division. Minus that whole losing to them thing.

10. Baltimore Ravens (10, 3-3)

Guys it's not me, it's you. You broke my heart again this week. Coming back the way you did and then letting the Vikings drive (why is Frank Walker in single coverage with a guy who has been beating us, him, all day!) was so unlike you. Unlike others, I am not going to put it all on Hauschka or Matt Katula (the long snapper, Antoine!). The offense looked great against one of the league's premier defenses, in fact Ray Rice had his way with them. They lost and they need this bye week. Broncos come to town after that, it's not going to get any easier. MAN UP GUYS!

11. Chicago Bears (13, 3-2)

Tough loss on the road to a good team. Forte fumbles as many times in the game as he had in his career up until that point. Another tough road matchup against the Bengals awaits. Both teams need a win to stay in the running for their division crown. Should be a good one.

12. San Francisco 49ers (15, 3-2)

Their defense needed that bye week because they are facing an offensive juggernaut in Houston this week. Ryan to White abused them, who knows what Schaub to Johnson will do against them. At least they will have Gore back and there will be a Michael Crabtree sighting. We'll see what the offense brings to the table now but the defense needs to step it up after that poor performance against Atlanta.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7, 3-2)

They lost to Oakland, enough said. Don't give me that cross country travel BS, they lost to the Raiders. They were SHUT DOWN by a Raiders defense without their best cover guy. The Nnamdi factor wasn't in effect. How do you lose to the Raiders? What would you do for a Klondike bar? Would you lose to the Raiders? Yes, Eagles fan, you would.

14. Arizona Cardinals (20, 3-2)

Well they put me and the Seahawks in their place, on the road no less. Very impressive the way the handled the pass happy attack of the 'Hawks. Warner to Fitzgerald happened again and the defense again looked great. You wouldn't believe that they are number 1 against the run. See I told you. LOOK IT UP! As one of my friends says, "Google it!" Like the Texans they also have appeared to turn it around after a sub par start. Time will tell.

15. Green Bay Packers (16, 2-2)

That was just not fair what they did to the Lions. While the shut out was impressive, its the talent that they faced that didn't impress me.

16. Miami Dolphins (17, 2-3)

Bye week this week so no test for them. However it changes this week with New Orleans coming to town. Can the wildcat own them to?

17. Houston Texans (21, 3-3)

Steve Slaton tore the Bengals up in the passing game but not nearly as much at Matt Schaub. This was the first game of the season for the Bengals where they weren't in it for the win at the end. No heart issues for their fans just utter disappointment for losing to an offensive juggernaut like the Texans. This team looks like they have turned the corner.

18. New York Jets (12, 3-3)

Losing like they did was a disgrace. No one wanted to win that game. I think Rex Ryan can turn the team around to fight for a playoff spot. Sanchez has looked like a rookie lately but he should. He is already being compared to last years studs Flacco and Ryan who had similar records after 6 games. That means possibilities for good things if you are a Jets fan.

19. San Diego Chargers (14, 2-3)

It is something new every week for this team. This week you have to put the loss on the special teams. Royal went crazy and some would say that he styled on them. I would be one of those people. They are a shade better then the Raiders and if they aren't careful they will be overtaken by them.

20. Dallas Cowboys (18, 3-2)

Last time we saw them they were saved by Miles Austin in OT against the Chiefs. I'm sticking to my guns for this team. And in case your forgot what that was it is that they are a mediocre team at best, neither side of the ball is consistent from week to week.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (22, 3-3)

MJD with a beast game but against the Rams is that really a surprise? It's more of a surprise that he didn't have 200 yards rushing and 5 TDs. By halftime! Sorry that is the fantasy geek in me. They won a game that they should have against a Rams team that may or may not be turning it around. For now, bye week.

22. Carolina Panthers (23, 2-3)

The Panthers end up in the win column again beating another poor team. Steve Smith (now known as the other Steve Smith) is upset because the team is focused on the run. Look at your QB and think about that for a sec Steve. Now punch yourself, repeatedly. Maybe that will knock some sense into you.

23. Seattle Seahawks (19, 2-4)

This team is screwing with my emotions. They look great one week and awful the next. Even with Hasselback in the lineup they looked pedestrian in the passing game. Against the Cards that is depressing considering they were one of the worst defenses against the pass. We'll see what happens this week. But they have fooled me twice, so I can never be fooled again.

24. Kansas City Chiefs (25, 1-5)

Since when is beating the Redskins that great of an accomplishment? Certainly not this season. However they did get a tough win on the road but the fans have really turned on the 'Skins. All over some humble pie that was served up by the Chefs. Great coogily moogily. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3gYApfUsaQ&NR=1 <---in case you forgot the reference

25. Buffalo Bills (26, 2-4)

While I am impressed that they beat the Jets on the road, neither team looked good. It was an accident for whoever to win this game. Both were making mistakes and committing stupid penalties left and right. At least their game didn't hurt to watch this week!

26. Oakland Raiders (29, 2-4)

Don't make me regret moving you guys up. Last time I did this you flopped. Plus you gotta think Richard Seymour is getting in the ear of every player after Antonio Pierce said playing them is like playing the practice squad two weeks ago. This past week they had a fire that was missing in them a week before. Seymour for some reason is thinking playoffs. Does he remember who the QB is? Like Kevin Garnett says, anything is possiblllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllle!

27. Detroit Lions (24, 1-5)

They regressed this week. Green Bay made a mockery out of the game. So many teams were shut down this week it was ridiculous, this team actually looked decent early in the season on offense. They are without Stafford who will probably be back after the bye week for the battle of the bums! The team with the longest on going losing streak and the team from a year ago who didn't win a single game. Let the best of the worst win, in two weeks.

28. Tennessee Titans (27, 0-6)

Sometimes you lose, sometimes you lose bad and sometimes you take a whoopin'. That is what happened to them in New England last week. This team looks terrible and should start Vince Young ASAP! Find out now if he's worth his weight in salary or if that is what you need to target in the early first round next year. At this point Titans fans, even Jeff Fisher is cheering for the Colts. He just wants to feel like a winner, can you blame him?

29. Cleveland Browns (30, 1-5)

Does anyone ever expect them to beat Pittsburgh? No, since they have lost the last 12 to them. Their schedule hasn't been kind to them and neither has their coach. At least they had some offense this week. That seems to say more about the Steelers D then the Browns O.

30. Washington Redskins (28, 2-4)

Does any body find it interesting that they haven't face a team with a win this season? Of course, 4 of those teams did get their first wins of the season. Hooray for them and Zorn has lost his play calling privileges. Next Daniel Snyder will put him in the corner with a dunce cap.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (31, 0-6)

A game between the worst teams in the NFC South. Clearly this team is the worst in the division and trying to take out the Rams for the first overall pick. However what strengthens a defense is facing Jake Delhomme, at least they had that to boost their confidence. That is before Deangelo Williams took it away.

32. St. Louis Rams (32, 0-6)

Add Marc Bulger and a sketchy pass defense, that leads to a near win for this team. Unfortunately they forgot to study up on how to stop MJD. Although they look like they are starting to turn it around.

Dare to compare mine to those at ESPN. We differ on who we think the best team is but hey, at least you know I'm not one to plagiarize. Check it out and I will see you here next week!http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings